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trouble adding fuel to the tank
https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13369		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  jontmiller [ Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:  trouble adding fuel to the tank
I know we all have trouble paying for fuel, but today they were unable to ADD any fuel to the tank.

Bit of history, fuel gauge worthless, actually ran it out of gas a few weeks ago (posted here for embarrassment sake) and since been adding fuel every chance I get.....well not really but I have gotten fuel probably 4 times since then. I ran it further than I was comfortable with the other day so I brought a 5 gallon can and added about 4 gallons today before the 20 minute run to the marina. Once there he couldn't add more than a gallon, from my calculations it should have taken at least 15, probably 19 gallons.

I had him refill my 5 gallon instead and headed home, I suspect a vent issue in the fuel filler neck. Any suggestions where to begin looking?

boat runs fine with no other issues of note.

Thanks for looking....pics for clicks

Imageuntitled-384 by millerjont, on Flickr
Author:  LouC [ Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
Sometimes insects build nests in vents and clog them up. It is possible that your tank was full but who knows.
You could try this, get a length of radiator hose about the same diameter as the fill neck opening, take the gas cap off and try blowing into the the tank, while feeling for air coming out of the vent (usually right next to the fill). If no air comes out then you have to find out why. Do you have the VDO gauge cluster? The sending unit is pretty easy to troubleshoot once you get it out. If there is a hatch for the gas tank (older Horizons had this) or even just an access panel (usually circular) the sending unit is attached to a circular metal cover held in by 5 bolts or screws. But first check the connections at the sending unit. Its possible for one to come loose or to get corroded. Its just a variable resistor that changes resistance in response to the float moving up or down. If you do a search you can find out how to trouble shoot the gauge and sender.
Author:  crossram [ Mon Aug 18, 2014 7:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
it wouldnt take any fuel ? i had problem with mine filling it up. had to go real slow or it would blow out the filler. the problem was had a small blockage in the vent tube. pulled the vent from the tank and used my compressor and blew out the line . started from the out side and blew towards the tank then the other way and used a tooth brush to clean the screen no problems after that
Like louC said check your connections on the sending unit. to check the sending unit to see if it is working you will need to pull it and check the ohms not sure of the numbers but it should change as its moved
Author:  rpengr [ Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
Were there passengers on the boat? Was it leaning towards the fill port? Was the bow elevated?
You might not have the same problem not that the boat is back on the trailer.

Even so, you could have a clogged vent line, but only have trouble filling if the boat is leaning towards the fill cap.
Author:  jontmiller [ Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
yea, that was the only real variable...I had 5 kids in the bow so the boat was sitting pretty flat....we jumped up and down a few times trying to get it to gurgle down but no luck. It took the fuel from the 5 gallon can no sweat with the same load arrangement so I dunno.

As far as the gauge, while it would be nice to have working I'm not going to stress about it, its the VDO gauge pack that nothing but the tach works on, would love the new setup...as much as I know I could wire it up, its the fabrication side of a new cluster build that I know is not part of my skill set.

Off to work for a few days before getting to look at it again, it lives on the water so not real practical to check it out on the trailer.
Author:  LouC [ Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
It would drive me nuts to not have a working fuel gauge but even worse if the oil pressure and temp gauges did not work. I'd look into replacing that thing, the Faria gauge sets are very nice and not hard to install. It doesn't have to look perfect it just has to work....
Author:  jontmiller [ Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
Yea I look at Gauges all the time at work ( pilot) but am very relaxed about this boat.....if it were my new pride and joy I may feel differently.....
That said the gauges all move, differently depending on electrical load :) I installed a remote set of gauges in the engine bay to keep an eye on things if it sounds funny or I'm curious....the new gauges are on the list but not as far up as some other items. .... Waiting for a better DIY on the ground wire fix as I'm thinking that's the majority of it..
Author:  jontmiller [ Thu Aug 21, 2014 8:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
Bump ....

So next time I am out what should I bring along to try and help clear the vent. (nothing is obviously blocking it) and maybe it was just a weird angle of the boat. But a coathanger, tube to blow air through? Boat is on the dock so no access to compressed air or tools per-se besides what I can carry.

hoping to try and break the kids on the last weekend before school! :)
Author:  LouC [ Thu Aug 21, 2014 9:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
Just bring a can of compressed air like you use to clean cameras, or in the pre fuel injection days, how we cleaned carbs (still do with the yard engines)...
Author:  jontmiller [ Mon Aug 25, 2014 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
For what its worth it took 25 gallons today no problem.....guessing it had something to do with me adding 4 gallons myself from a portable can prior to going to the marina....either way fun times on the lake today.

Imageboat 2013-7 by millerjont, on Flickr
Author:  rpengr [ Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
That's great news Jon. You must have filled the vent line with fuel when you poured the 5 gal can.

And I must say, you are looking younger all the time :lol:
Author:  LouC [ Tue Aug 26, 2014 4:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
No trouble adding gas today, it happily took 33 gallons (about 3/4 tank) @ 4.79/gallon lol....
Author:  rpengr [ Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
LouC wrote:
No trouble adding gas today, it happily took 33 gallons (about 3/4 tank) @ 4.79/gallon lol....

Don't get the 40'+ Vista guys started!
Author:  jontmiller [ Wed Aug 27, 2014 6:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: trouble adding fuel to the tank
rpengr wrote:
That's great news Jon. You must have filled the vent line with fuel when you poured the 5 gal can.

And I must say, you are looking younger all the time :lol:



Boating keeps us young..:)

thanks for the info
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